Concerta in New Zealand
ByPharmac has just announced that it will now cover the once daily Concerta for ADHD.
You can read the news release here.
Concerta is a once daily, long acting medication for ADHD.
Prior to this, Pharmac was only funding the generic Rubifen for ADHD, and occasionally it would cover the name brand Ritalin, as described here.
The funding for Concerta will allow for the prescriptions of this long acting medication only if the other two approved medicines don’t work effectively.
This is a step forward, though ideally, all would have access to Concerta.
To our New Zealand friends (i.e. Kiwis), please share your thoughts and comments below.
Best,
Dr. Kenny
p.s. to read about the dosing of concerta, visit: Concerta Dosage.
This is ridiculous, I don’t think this doctor has even personally talked with anyone that has taken this medication … it is very short lasting, and for that reason it is best working with your doctor to find something that is suitable.
@ Brigid
I take Concerta (57 mg) and it works very well for me, and then I take 10mg of Ritalin at night before I go to bed, because I have trouble falling asleep. I also take Citalopram (20mg) for my depression. I’m ADHD and my mother is bipolar, and my father is ADD. Concerta has largely helped me with my concentration in class, and my tics, and Ritalin has helped me with me going to sleep. I am decreasing the dosage of Citalopram, as my depression has gotten better ( the depression was mainly caused at school because of my poor concentration).
I hope that this helps you understand that everybody is different with their situations, internal systems, which require different dosages or another medication.
Maybe you should inquire about a different stimulant. I hope that you get past your troubles, and find the right medication and the right dosage.